Epiphone EB-98 5-String Resonator Banjo, Japan 1970s — Hard Case, Accessories

The Epiphone EB-98 is a 5-string resonator banjo produced at the Matsumoku plant in Japan during the early-to-mid 1970s, when Gibson relocated Epiphone production out of Kalamazoo. The pot assembly features a Mastertone-style aluminum tone ring and one-piece aluminum flange with decorative cutouts, mated to a lightweight plywood rim — a known characteristic of this model. The white synthetic head is held by a chrome tension hoop with slotted hooks, and strings terminate at a metal trapeze tailpiece fitted with a green chenille muffler. The mahogany neck is bound in cream and carries a rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays; the 5th string is served by a friction peg with a cream button. Main tuners are large-block geared style. The black-finished headstock is stamped "Japan" on the reverse and carries the Epiphone script logo in cream. 

LOT INCLUDES

• Epiphone EB-98 5-string resonator banjo
• Brown leatherette hard shell case with cream binding and working latches
• Wm. Kratt Co. Master Key MK2-C chromatic pitch instrument in original red case
• Kratt SN-8 banjo pitch pipe, Banjo "C" Notation, in original box
• Vega/C.F. Martin V-702 B-2nd plain steel banjo string
• Other Accessories as Shown

CONDITION

Good. The resonator, neck, and chrome hardware present solidly with no visible structural issues. The white synthetic head shows a moderate area of rosin and grime discoloration in the playing zone below the bridge. The hard case functions properly but displays significant crazing across the leatherette exterior and separation of the cream binding from the shell along portions of the lower bout edge.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Overall: 37½" × 14" × 4¼"
• Model: Epiphone EB-98
• String count: 5
• Origin: Japan (Matsumoku plant), circa early-to-mid 1970s
• Headstock: Black-finished, Epiphone cream script logo, "Japan" stamp to reverse
• Neck/Resonator: Mahogany, cream bound
• Fingerboard: Rosewood, dot inlays
• Tone ring/Flange: Aluminum, Mastertone-style one-piece with decorative cutouts
• Rim: Lightweight plywood (model standard)
• Head: White synthetic
• Tuners (main): Large-block geared style, nickel-plated
• 5th string peg: Friction type, cream button
• Tailpiece: Metal trapeze with chenille muffler
• Pitch instrument: Wm. Kratt Co. Master Key, Model MK2-C
• Case: Brown leatherette hard shell, cream binding, working latches